Faith Leaders Equipped by World Vision Ghana to Address Developmental Challenges
By Vivian Adu, Communications Officer
Over 40 participants have completed a three-day intensive Empowered World View (EWV) Integrated Training programme designed for pastors, missionaries, and children’s ministry volunteers.
Held from 24 to 27 June 2025 in Accra, the training was organised by World Vision Ghana (WVG) in collaboration with the Ghana Evangelism Commission and African Enterprise. The training forms part of the Accra Missions initiative, which aims to foster holistic transformation across communities in the Greater Accra Region.
Despite ongoing evangelistic efforts, many communities continue to face persistent challenges such as poverty, inequality, and fragile social systems. The EWV model is grounded in biblical principles and equips faith leaders to mobilise local resources, build community resilience, and promote self-reliance within their congregations and beyond.
Participants engaged in theological reflections that connected scriptural insights with practical strategies for community transformation. The training emphasised the gospel's holistic message, calling the Church to proclaim not only personal salvation, but also to embody God's redemptive purpose through compassionate action and a commitment to social justice.
Key components of the programme included casting a shared vision within communities, identifying and leveraging local assets, and nurturing collaborative relationships with churches, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and local authorities. A special focus was placed on children’s ministry, where participants explored ways to instil hope and resilience in young people and recognised them as critical agents of future community change.
During the non-residential training, the 40 participants who were pastors, urban and peri-urban missionaries, and volunteers in children’s and community ministry gained a deeper understanding of how to align mission efforts with holistic development goals. Many left the training with a renewed commitment to integrating spiritual outreach with practical initiatives in areas such as livelihoods, education, and child protection.
Reflecting on the experience, Pastor Seidu Abdul Latif, one of the participants, said: "This training has deepened my understanding of what it means to serve both the spiritual and practical needs of my community. I now feel equipped with tools to help people rise out of poverty while walking in faith."
The training is a key component of World Vision Ghana’s Phase 2 EWV Scale-up Project, specifically under its objective to empower national faith leaders as agents of transformation in vulnerable communities. Through this initiative, a growing network of trained leaders is emerging leaders who are committed to applying the EWV framework within their congregations and outreach efforts to drive meaningful and measurable impact.
Benjamin Sarbah, Faith and Development Manager World Vision Ghana, and project lead, remarked, "When the Church rises to meet both the spiritual and practical needs of society, transformation becomes inevitable. The gospel is not just about personal salvation it is God’s invitation to restore every aspect of life."
With the successful conclusion of this training, World Vision Ghana reaffirms its commitment to enabling faith-based, community-driven transformation that is both inclusive and sustainable.
